The Working Memory Model

The Working Memory Model

1. Description

   • Central Executive (CE) acts as 'attention', allocates tasks to slave systems, no storage (THE BOSS)
   • Phonological Loop (PL) preserves order of auditory information
   • Visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSS) for planning and processing visual and/or spatial tasks
   • Episodic buffer records events (episodes) as they happen, links to LTM

2. Evaluation (strengths)

   • Hitch and Baddeley- participants slower when doing dual tasks
   • KF- damage to PL, problems with verbal material (words not sounds)
   • SC- damage to PL, unable to learn word pairs presented out loud
   • LH- Damage to spatial system

3. Evaluation (weaknesses)

   • CE doesn't explain anything and it is more complex than currently represented
   • Brain damage evidence is unreliable because trauma may cause problems

4. Further Evaluation

   • Word-length effect
     • Longer words can't be rehearsed (supports the PL), articulatory suppression task cancels out word-length effect (supports articulatory process)